From the 2012 Olympics to a Royal visit
The latest news from schools and colleges in Kent
2012 Olympics – Tonbridge style
The news that Athletics Australia will be training at Tonbridge School ahead of the Olympics means that Kent now has more nations signed up to train in the UK for the Games than any other county in the UK.
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Athletics Australia’s President Rob Fildes, Tonbridge School’s Headmaster, Tim Haynes and Cabinet Member Mike Hill from Kent County Council for the squad of around 40 athletes to train at the prestigious boys’ school in 2012.
Athletics Australia chose Tonbridge after an extensive review of all potential bases because of the international standard sports facilities that it offers, excellent accommodation, other support services which are maintained to the very highest standards and because of the support of Kent County Council
Kent schoolchildren bury time capsule at Tunbridge Wells John Lewis store
Year Five pupils from St Matthew's High Brooms Primary School made their own piece of history when they buried a time capsule in the entrance of the new John Lewis at home shop in Tunbridge Wells.
The new store off Longfield Road, which occupies the former Homebase site, opens on 11 November and will focus on furniture, furnishing accessories, homeware and home and electrical technology.
The children buried a selection of items that will be available at the new shop together with letters they had written to children of the future. The capsule was sealed in the wall and the children helped to fix a plaque to commemorate the day.
Royal visitor at Grange Park
Children at Grange Park School were delighted to meet Her Royal Highness Sophie Countess of Wessex, patron of the National Autistic Society, when she opened their new �5.15m building.
Built on sloping ground beside the M26 on a site next to Wrotham School, Grange Park, a special school for secondary aged pupils with autism spectrum conditions, is built in a curve set into the hillside so that all the classrooms have a south-facing aspect.
The architects, Cattell Skinner Design Partnership, have used innovative materials to create an environment that minimises impact on pupils with autism. The acoustics and the lighting reflect this understanding and a special glazing material is used throughout the building to create a tranquil atmosphere.
Cream of Kent
The overall winner of the Kent-wide Spirit of Try Angle Awards for Young Achievers, Chloe Wells, 14, from Margate, has been presented with an engraved glass trophy by Kent County Council Chairman Bill Hayton.
Chloe’s older sister Emily, who was seriously ill, died earlier this year and Chloe had provided a large part of her care. Her father suffered a stroke and her mother is also ill, meaning Chloe is real support to her family, including her younger sister Lily, despite having her own medical difficulties.
Hundreds of nominations were received for the district awards, recognising those who have overcome personal struggles in their lives and made an important contribution to their local community.
Try Angle was started by a KCC youth worker in 1994 with the aim of celebrating the exceptional achievements and good work of young people in Kent and counteracting some of the negative perceptions about them.
The name for the awards came from the idea of looking at a seemingly impossible obstacle from every angle and then looking at it from the angle of simply trying hard, leading to incredible achievements.
Categories included bravery, citizenship and environment and volunteering and service to the community.
